In Germany, authorities seized portions of a Russian businessperson’s art collection aboard the luxury yacht Luna on May 11 after evaluating possible sanctions violations. The seizure was reported by Spiegel, citing the crime department as the source of information about the operation conducted on German waters and jurisdiction. The action underscores ongoing scrutiny of assets tied to individuals facing sanctions, with officials alert to potential attempts to move or conceal wealth that could contravene international restrictions.
During a coordinated effort, officers from the Federal Criminal Police Office, known by its German acronym BKA, carried out the confiscation of high value artworks and related items from the vessel. The total estimated value of the seized assets is described as being in the multi-million euro range, indicating a collection of significant cultural and monetary worth. Spiegel has linked the confiscated works to the estate of entrepreneur Farhad Akhmedov, a name that has repeatedly surfaced in discussions about sanctioned individuals and associated properties in various jurisdictions.
According to the Spiegel report, the media outlet notes that Farhad Akhmedov is described as having Azerbaijani origins, a detail reflected in the coverage that aims to outline the diverse background of individuals involved in the case. The report does not specify the exact nature of the sanctions that purportedly apply or the precise legal grounds for the seizure, but it highlights the broader context of asset freezes and asset tracing that often accompany sanctions regimes and enforcement efforts across international borders.
Meanwhile, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov addressed questions about the situation, noting that the United States has previously moved to seize assets linked to certain Russian figures in relation to support for Ukraine. Peskov emphasized that it remains unclear whether there are ongoing legal proceedings to formalize or challenge the seizure, and he indicated that the Kremlin would monitor developments and respond as appropriate through official channels. The evolving scenario illustrates how sanctions enforcement can intersect with diplomacy, legal frameworks, and maritime operations, especially when high value property is involved and questions about ownership, control, and termination rights arise in the wake of asset freezes.